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Model D Speaker Series: Detroit Regional City

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When it was recently suggested that the Detroit Institute of Art's collection could be at risk of liquidation to satisfy city debts, the regional outcry proved something we all know to be true: when it comes to valuing Detroit's "assets," municipal borders don't really matter all that much. Pride of place isn't confined to any single zip code, and you certainly don't need to live within city limits to understand that a strong city is vital for a strong region and state.

In fact, if you float up 30,000 feet and look down, you'll see a whopping 46 million people living within a 300-mile radius of Detroit proper -- at the geographic center of one of the largest economic units on earth, no less.

In other words: We're not just any metro area, but a mighty one.

And increasingly, we're seeing more evidence of true "regional thinking" take hold -- not just in theory, but in practice. It took 23 tries and 40 years, but metro Detroit finally has a Regional Transit Authority. We also came together to support the DIA millage, and to improve and expand Cobo Center. And sometimes we even build bridges with Windsor.

Oh, the places we will go! What will we do together next?

Join us this Wednesday, June 26, 5:30 p.m. in the region's new "Cultural Living Room" -- the newly redesigned Kresge Court at the DIA -- for a conversation about our metropolitan future, and how we can all play a part.